Politics
Assembly WATCH
As the State House of Assembly prepares to resume sitting today after about three weeks recess, activities at the complex are beginning to come alive again.
This is because most of the lawmakers that used the break period to travel within and outside the country have returned to enable them commence work.
While they were away, the Assembly appeared deserted with scanty vehicles belonging to civil servants because even aides to the legislators equally had opportunity to attend to personal issues as they occasionally visited the office to check mails and other relevant information for onward transmission to their principals.
Within the period under review, visitors could be seen filing into the complex to keep in touch with the lawmakers. Some of the legislators were also seen visiting colleagues offices and discussing either about their trips or the issues that would appear on the order paper for today’s deliberation.
Also at the Assembly last Thursday was the Registrar of the Ignatius Ajuru College of Education, Port Harcourt, Mr Ikem Adiele, whose visit may not be unconnected with the petition brought to the House by Mrs Ayite Kalama against the authorities of the college over the appointment of Head Teacher at the Seashell Model Primary School.
The Tide gathered that the House Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions had invited the management of the college to appear before it to answer to allegation of anomalies perpetrated against the petitioner, Mrs Kalama.
Worthy of note is the fact that while the lawmakers were away, the leadership of the House engaged a contractor in civil works to continuously maintain the aesthetic beauty of the complex.
The workers were seen clearing the floor titles with modern machine facilities that hampered free movement on the top floor of the Assembly building.
The Tide also learnt that workers, lawmakers and visitors alike complained on the choice of working days for the exercise instead of weekends to carry out clearing of the floor titles.
Within the period under discussion, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Leyii Kwanee who travelled outside the country on official assignment when the budget was passed returned to the office to handle official matters and received visitors.
Precisely last Thursday, Hon. Kwanee received members of Journalists Alliance for the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV in Nigeria (JAPin) that paid him on advocacy visit.
The Deputy Speaker, who was also appointed the patron of the body, commended the group for their concern in championing the prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS and promised to partner with them to spread the message.
However, while the House is set to begin sitting today, the Christmas decorations that dotted the complex, during the last Yuletide season are still visible all over the complex by February 2013.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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